Note: These are the instant, mildly-filtered things that ran through my brain and heart as I watched this session of General Conference. If you are looking for deep, spiritual analysis, this is not the place. Drive on. Please check back later for that, after I have had some time to process.
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• As for the first session: Not one speaker brought up the fact that the Lakers probably won’t even make the playoffs this year. Hopefully they’ll address it this afternoon. #sharegoodness
• President Oaks rockin’ the purple tie to match the decor.
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New Relief Society presidency. Johnson, Dennis, Yee. Don’t know any of them. I’ve a hunch that they are great ladies.
New Primary presidency. Porter, Wright, Browning. Don’t know any of them. I’ve a hunch that they are great ladies.
(Always a lot of musical chairs going on.)
Here’s a link to new callings..
Always nice to have happy auditors.
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Choir sings “I’ll Go Where You Want Me to Go.” More missionary emphasis coming?
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Elder Jeffrey R. Holland: Begins with a HEAVY sigh, then gets funny.
“I direct my remarks today to the young people of the Church, meaning anyone President Nelson’s age or younger.”
Talked about how the youth have tough times, and how the idealism of youth is waning.
“My plea today to our youth, and to you parents and adults who advise them, is to begin your search for happiness by embracing the bounty we have already received from the giver of every good gift.”
“The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which holds aloft the mission and message of the Savior of the world offers the most eternally significant way to both find good and do good at such a needful time.”
“Discipline and Discipleship essentially the same word.”
“We – of all people – should be singing the song of redeeming love.”
In the current day, there are tremendous difficulties that we encounter. The brethren dedicate their lives to find answers to the hard challenges. “If some are not resolved to the satisfaction of everyone, perhaps they constitute part of the cross that Jesus said we would have to take up in order to follow Him.””
Apostolic declaration: Before you received the Holy Ghost, you had the Light of Christ…it was given to protect you, and to teach you. “In a world that so desperately needs all the light it can get, please do not minimize the eternal light God put in your soul before this world was.”
Life is precious. Don’t give up on it.
Pleas to pay attention to those who might be struggling with self-harm and suicide. Those who struggle with it: “Suicide will not relieve the pain you are feeling, or the pain you feel you are causing.”
A sincere plea to bear the struggles of mortal life – “you are stronger than you think – help is available. You are loved, valued and needed. Fear not, and believe only.”
Powerful stuff…
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Elder Patrick Kearon – we are intrigued by survival stories, like the Shackleford expedition.
Maybe be you are living a survival story right now.
“You have already been saved. Jesus has overcome the abused of this world to, not only survive, but to one day overcome…”
Speaking directly to those who feel there is no way out of their current situation – following Elder Holland’s theme. but directed more at those who are victims of abuse. “It is not your fault… You are not the one who needs to repent.”
“The abuse was not, is not, and never will be your fault, no matter what the abuser or anyone else may have said to the contrary.”
“You are not less worthy or less valuable or less loved as a human being, or as a daughter or son of God, because of what someone else has done to you.”
“Jesus has overcome the abuses of this world to give you power to not only survive, but one day, through Him, to overcome and even conquer.”
“Though it may seem impossible, feel impossible, healing can come through the miracle of the redemptive might of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.”
– I hope that those who are struggling with this are able to hear and feel what he is saying. How tragic that this needs to be addressed.
Then he pivots and talks about how those who have abused others can repent – but unrepentant abusers are in big trouble. (Millstones around the neck, etc.)
If you have been a victim of abuse, “You can have a new life.” “You are a survivor – you can heal and overcome.”
“Jesus has overcome the abuses of this world to give you power to not only survive, but one day, through Him, to overcome and even conquer.”
Lovely, needed address.
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I love it when. it is so obvious that something is coming from the mouths of two witnesses.
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Elder Marcos A. Aidukaitis
“The gathering makes an eternal difference to all. People of all ages can participate in this cause regardless of their circumstances and where they live. There is no other cause in the world more inclusive.”
The work needs to be done for those on both sides of the veil. “You have been prepared from before this life and born now to participate in the great work of the gathering of Israel on both sides of the veil.”
Talk #3 on serving a full-time mission.
Satan uses fear and insecurities to distract youth from serving missions. “”There are lots of things that can distract you from faithfully serving a mission. Being interested in someone romantically, for instance.” (He was in love, but served and lost the girl – look at him now!)
(My mission experience was HUGELY important to my life. Can’t imagine not having that in my backstory.)
“Serving a full-time mission may seem difficult to us. Perhaps it requires that we give up important things for a moment. The Lord certainly knows this and He will always be by our side.” – “With His help, we can do hard things.”
“My mission completely shaped my life. I learned it is worth the effort to trust in God, to trust in His wisdom and mercy and in His promises.”
Extended President Nelson’s invitation to serve.
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Halftime. Cereal? You bet! Can’t type witty things while I’m eating cereal and signing.
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Elder Garrit W. Gong. Spoke on Family History.
“I believe we are that “we might have joy” that there are times and seasons to everything under heaven.”
“We each have a story. As we discover our story, we connect, we become, we belong.”
“Whether or not we know them, we are each born of a mother and father. And each mother and father is born of a mother and father. By birth or adoptive lineage, we’re ultimately all connected in the family of God or in the human family.”
“If you think your great aunt has done all of your genealogy, think again. Find the rest of your living family tree, including cousins & others.”
Familysearch has 1.3 BILLION individuals in the family tree.
“When asked where meaning comes in life, most people rank family first. This includes family living and gone before.”
“Connecting with our ancestors can change our lives in surprising ways…Ties with ancestors increase family closeness, gratitude, miracles. Such ties can bring help from the other side of the veil.”
Not everybody’s family is a happy thing. For some, family can become a “hollow shell.” “Forever is too long if we make each other unhappy.”
“As you perform temple service for family members, a manifestation of the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of Elijah, will knit the hearts of your fathers, mothers and children together in love.”
(I love doing family history – but it can sure turn into a black hole and swallow up my sleeping hours.)
“Come find your family – all generations – and bring them home.” (Eternal families – awesome!)
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(For the record, Elder Gong didn’t quote Encanto or any of the Fast & Furious movies)
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Elder Adrian Ochoa began with a great question: “Is the plan working?”
“When we struggle, for any reason, that doesn’t mean the plan isn’t working. That is when we need the plan the most.”
Told the story of Christ and Peter walking on the water. Three principles:
- Act in Faith in Jesus Christ “I am in awe of Peter’s faith.” “Do not minimize the faith you already have.”
- In times of trouble, turn to Jesus Christ right away. Do not procrastinate the day of your repentance.
- Humble yourself before the Lord and he will lift you to greater things.
“…remember that Heavenly Father’s Plan of Happiness has another name: the Plan of Redemption.” (Cuz this life ain’t always happy – perhaps he is talking about a recalibration of our expectations.)
“Coming unto Christ means more than just thinking about Him or talking about Him or even loving Him. It means following Him. It means living the way He teaches us to live. And for all of us, that means repenting, without delay.”
“Follow Jesus Christ instead of relying on your own wisdom and strength. No matter how long you’ve been trying to tread water without Him, it’s never too late to reach out to Him.”
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Elder Kevin S. Hamilton: “One of Satan’s greatest lies is that men & Women cannot change.”
“While it is indeed good to be authentic, we should be authentic to our real, true selves, as sons and daughters of God with a divine nature and destiny to become like Him.”
“If/then” statements – the Lord operates on conditions – IF you keep the commandments, THEN you shall abide in his love.
God’s love is subject to conditions. (Echoes when President Nelson gave an entire talk about how God’s ‘unconditional love’ isn’t really a thing.)
We have to change: (The Lord’s conditions for change)
- Humble ourselves. “In order to change, we need to put off the natural man and become humble. We must be humble enough to follow a living prophet; humble enough to make temple covenants; humble enough to repent daily.” “Pride exists when we think we know better – When what we think or feel takes priority over what God thinks or feels.”
- Faith in Jesus Christ – true repentance begins with faith. “When Jesus asks you and me to repent, He is inviting us to change.”
- Through his grace, Christ can make weak things become strong. “His strengthening, enabling grace gives us power to overcome all obstacles, all challenges and all weaknesses as we seek to change.”
“I would that ye would come forth and harden not your hearts longer.”
(I think this is a pretty significant talk for this generation – more than it appears on face value.)
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Elder Quentin L. Cook.
Speaking about his decision to serve a mission. (Wow! Sense a theme yet?)
Ask yourself these questions:
- Is Christ divine
- Is the Book of Mormon the word of God. “The Book of Mormon contains the answers to life’s great questions. It is another testament of Jesus Christ.”
- Is Joseph Smith the prophet of the restoration. “I testify that Joseph Smith was righteous, full of faith and an instrument in the Lord’s hands in bringing forth the Book of Mormon.”
If the answer is yes, then every decision we make should be based on them.
“Over a lifetime of service and spiritual experiences, I have come to understand that true conversion is the result of the conscious acceptance of the will of God, and we can be guided in our actions by the Holy Ghost.”
(He referenced the Joseph Smith papers – which are super-cool. Link.)
I really like this definition of conversion: “Over a lifetime of service and spiritual experiences, I have come to understand that true conversion is the result of the conscious acceptance of the will of God, and we can be guided in our actions by the Holy Ghost.”
“Conversion to the Savior changes a natural man into a sanctified, born again, purified person – a new creature in Christ Jesus.”
Another prophet reinforcing President Nelson’s call for all young men to serve missions.
Quoted Joseph Smith’s AWESOME quote:
“The Standard of Truth has been erected; no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done.”
“We need to become converted to the will of God, we need to love our neighbors, share the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, and invite all to come and see.”
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If any young man was praying to find an answer about serving a mission, he has been besieged today!
Powerful session.
Have a great evening! Tonight is the women’s session, please check with a biologist to see if you should attend.
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“Marin, this is Elder Holland, and it’s about to go downhill.” Funniest quote all general conference.
I think my 19 year old is part of the reason for the emphasis on missions…I know he’s listening, but I hope he’s LISTENING
Biologist? LOL!! Loved the reference… I loved Elder Holland’s comment, “Please, please stay for the whole feast even if you’re not [excited] about the broccoli!” (I missed the exact word…) Again, I am amazed that you can capture so much live, and not lose track of what is being said. Thanks!
Biologist = LOL
Was it just me, or did anyone else notice that most of the apostles smiled and looked happy? Not that they are a bunch of grumps, but it seemed like they had all agreed at their last apostle meeting to look happy and positive.
I kept saying to my husband “Doesn’t President So and So look perky?!” “That one’s looking perky too”. I think you said it better…they looked happy and positive.